Tip the Artist

Artist Bio

Music is all Arlo Gilliam has ever known. The singer-songwriter-producer grew up south of Nashville, but always knew his path in life would guide him directly into Music City U.S.A.

Over the years, Gilliam has taken pride in honing his craft and has quickly become known for his passionate drive for anything linked to the music business. In addition for his ability to lay down thumpin’, groovy bass licks, Gilliam is also an accomplished singer and songwriter, having released two solo projects with the third slated for release in the springtime of 2013.

With the new yet-to-be-titled project, Gilliam is taking a giant leap in the right direction of evolving from singer-songwriter to artist in the spotlight.

“This album will be the first project to really have a theme,” explains Gilliam. “It will be similar in the sound and style of the first two – having southern roots and soulful country – but my life is in a much better place than it was a few years ago. The result is the songs being inspired from a happier place, but it still having an edge to it.”

In addition to penning the tunes found on his solo projects, including his latest effort, Gilliam has also continued to chip away at the world of songwriting in Nashville, collaborating with some of the town’s finest tunesmiths around. Just last year alone, Gilliam was responsible for tracks by Canadian-country band Emerson Drive (“She’s My Kind of Crazy” on Open Road Universal, which debuted at No. 37 on Canada’s Billboard Hot 100 chart), Tebey (“Good Time Comin’ On” on Road Angel Entertainment/Universal), and Mark Houser and Bluegrass Drive (“John the Baptist” and “River of Regret” on Rural Rhythm Records, which made its way into the Top 20 on Power Source Magazine’s National Bluegrass chart).

“It’s my form of self-expression and my form of therapy,” Gilliam says of his songwriting. “It’s my art, and I am so proud of everything I’ve written. It’s a part of who I am … little pieces of me.”

Gilliam has accomplished quite a bit over the years in addition to his songwriting. He has also collaborated and shared the stage with many musical greats, such as Luke Bryan, LoCash Cowboys, Emerson Drive, Colt Ford, Wade Hayes, Trent Willmon, Katrina Elam, Ty Herndon, Thompson Square, Ashton Shepherd, and most recently, Travis Tritt. Gilliam has also had the opportunity to perform on some high-profile national television programs including Emeril Live, the Craig Ferguson Show and the Grand Ole Opry Live.

“One reason I love playing live is the crowd’s energy,” beams Gilliam while talking about his time spent on stage. “That’s always been the ultimate high for me.”

But it’s more than just a high for the musician and singer; it’s a learning experience that has helped shape the artist he is today.

“Playing live on the road for the past few years has been probably the best learning experience for me because I’ve got to be out there amongst real people,” Gilliam says. “I come from a small town, so being around people who actively support country music – whether it’s a crowd of 20 people or a crowd of 20,000 people – I’ve learned something. I’ve taken something from each of the acts I have played with on the road, and all of them have definitely made me a better performer and a better artist.”